Texas has over 150 lakes within its borders as well as thousands of pools, ponds and rivers. Here in the Hill Country you can just about swim year round but we hit it hardest in the summertime. Unfortunately drownings can occur anytime we get around water. It is the second leading cause of death in children up to age 14 and it is for the most part preventable which is why it’s so heartbreaking when it occurs.
In 2019 there have been 34 kids who have drowned already. One Texas State University student died in a pool recently in San Marcos. Overall, drowning is the fifth leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. resulting in about 3,500 deaths a year.
Texas ranks behind Florida in deaths from drowning. For kids age 1-4 drowning is the second leading cause of death; 80 percent occur in pools and another 10 percent in bath tubs. For every child who dies from drowning, another five are seen in the ER and 50 percent of them require admission. Males account for 80 percent of drownings and this may stem from our tendency to overestimate our abilities. Autistic children are 10 times more likely to die from drowning . In fact, in causes of death of autistic children, drowning is responsible for 90 percent.
